Peter Packard obituary: Peter Packard's Obituary, Dove Topeka
In Memory Of
Peter Winchester Packard
1932 - 2021
In Memory Of
Peter Winchester Packard
1932 - 2021
Peter Winchester Packard, son of Frederick Clifton Packard, Jr. and Alice Mansur Packard, was born in Cambridge, MA on December 7, 1932. After a long battle with Alzheimer’s, he died in Topeka, KS on Thursday, January 14, 2021. He graduated in 1951 from the Browne and Nichols School in Cambridge, MA, and from Dartmouth College in 1955 in Hanover, NH. In 1954 he married Elizabeth “Betsy” Knapp in Portsmouth, NH. He spent 8 years serving in the United States Air Force moving his growing family to his assignments in McAllen, TX; Houston, TX; Biloxi, MS; then Topeka, KS. While working full time, he attended the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare graduating in 1964 with a Master’s Degree in Social Work. In 1988 he moved with his wife Betsy to their dream home at Bethel Point in Harpswell, ME. From that ocean side house, they developed a booming Bed & Breakfast business welcoming guests from around the world. In 2008 Peter returned to Topeka, KS, to live out his retirement years. He occasionally returned to Maine for summer vacations.
With an unconditional compassionate embrace, Peter welcomed everyone he met with his can-do attitude and boisterous smile. No one was a stranger to Peter, and he was always willing to help family, friends, and anyone in need with their projects and problems. As his mother and father taught him so well, and throughout his long life, eloquent poetry and song were treasured methods of communicating.
He worked as a social worker in various employments but mostly at the VA Hospitals in Topeka, KS and Augusta, ME. Even though working full time as a social worker, he was able to help run the family business of a B&B from their home at the ocean's edge in Harpswell, ME. In addition, he enjoyed working with his hands, including home and auto repair. He received his greatest pleasures from his work, his family, his participation in church and community choir, competitive swimming, community theatre, and last but certainly not least, his times of being on the family island in Maine. Later in life, even with a challenged memory, he had a remarkable ability to remember poetry and song, joyously entertaining those around him.
Survivors include his brother, John Packard (Ellynn) of Rowe, MA; his wife and beloved companion, Elizabeth “Betsy” Packard of Topeka, KS; six children, Alexandra “Sandy” Cahill (Timothy “Tim”) of Parkville MO, Jonathan “Jon” Packard (Deborah “Debbie”) of Topeka, KS, Christopher “Chris” Packard (Clyde Martin) of Kirkwood, PA, Lisa Schneider of Topeka, KS, Steven “Steve” Packard (Rebecca “Becca”) of Aguanga, CA and Josephine “Josey” Packard (Jill McDonough) of Jamaica Plain, MA. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren: Emily Cahill Forscher of Madison WI, Gerald “Evan” Cahill (Jessica Drinkard) of Gladstone, MO, Daniel Packard (Joanna) of Topeka, KS, David Packard (Jill) of Topeka, KS, Michael Packard (Taylor) of St. Louis, MO, Benjamin “Ben” Packard (Lynn) of Holton, KS, Elijah Packard of Topeka, KS, Josiah Packard (Sarah) of Topeka, KS, Samuel “Sam” Schneider (Christina) of Topeka, KS, Abraham “Abe” Schneider (Katelyn “Katie”) of Bryn Mawr, PA, Calvin Schneider of Bridgeport, PA, David Schneider of Topeka, KS, Joel Schneider of Topeka, KS, Alice Packard (Danielle Ternes) of Washington, D.C., Clinton “Clint” Packard of Salem, WA; and 15 great-grandchildren: Lennon Cahill, Benjamin “Benny” Packard, Noah Packard, Titus Packard, Sophie Packard, Carly Packard, Kelton Packard, Audrey Packard, Olivia Rougier, Ethan Rougier, Tyler Packard, Ella Packard, Daniel Schneider, Heidi Schneider, Nicholas Schneider. Also surviving are cousins and their families, nieces and nephews and their families, from all corners of the USA as well as around the globe. Peter’s family is so thankful for the strong loving support of our immediate and extended family.
Peter Packard was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Penelope “Penny” Strand, his brother-in-law Robert “Bob” Strand, and his son-in-law Dave Schneider.
Cremation is planned. In an appropriate masked and socially distant environment, the family received friends from 10:00 a.m. until noon, January 23, 2021 at the Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at First Congregational Church, 1701 SW Collins, Topeka, KS where a portion of his ashes will be inurned in the church memorial garden. The remaining ashes will be scattered around the family island in Maine.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 3625 SW 29th St. Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66614, or to the Brewster Health Center, 1205 SW 29th Street, Topeka, KS 66611, in appreciation of the excellent care Peter received from the compassionate staff in the Meadowlark Neighborhood.
To leave a special message for Peter’s family, please click the Share Memories button above.
With an unconditional compassionate embrace, Peter welcomed everyone he met with his can-do attitude and boisterous smile. No one was a stranger to Peter, and he was always willing to help family, friends, and anyone in need with their projects and problems. As his mother and father taught him so well, and throughout his long life, eloquent poetry and song were treasured methods of communicating.
He worked as a social worker in various employments but mostly at the VA Hospitals in Topeka, KS and Augusta, ME. Even though working full time as a social worker, he was able to help run the family business of a B&B from their home at the ocean's edge in Harpswell, ME. In addition, he enjoyed working with his hands, including home and auto repair. He received his greatest pleasures from his work, his family, his participation in church and community choir, competitive swimming, community theatre, and last but certainly not least, his times of being on the family island in Maine. Later in life, even with a challenged memory, he had a remarkable ability to remember poetry and song, joyously entertaining those around him.
Survivors include his brother, John Packard (Ellynn) of Rowe, MA; his wife and beloved companion, Elizabeth “Betsy” Packard of Topeka, KS; six children, Alexandra “Sandy” Cahill (Timothy “Tim”) of Parkville MO, Jonathan “Jon” Packard (Deborah “Debbie”) of Topeka, KS, Christopher “Chris” Packard (Clyde Martin) of Kirkwood, PA, Lisa Schneider of Topeka, KS, Steven “Steve” Packard (Rebecca “Becca”) of Aguanga, CA and Josephine “Josey” Packard (Jill McDonough) of Jamaica Plain, MA. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren: Emily Cahill Forscher of Madison WI, Gerald “Evan” Cahill (Jessica Drinkard) of Gladstone, MO, Daniel Packard (Joanna) of Topeka, KS, David Packard (Jill) of Topeka, KS, Michael Packard (Taylor) of St. Louis, MO, Benjamin “Ben” Packard (Lynn) of Holton, KS, Elijah Packard of Topeka, KS, Josiah Packard (Sarah) of Topeka, KS, Samuel “Sam” Schneider (Christina) of Topeka, KS, Abraham “Abe” Schneider (Katelyn “Katie”) of Bryn Mawr, PA, Calvin Schneider of Bridgeport, PA, David Schneider of Topeka, KS, Joel Schneider of Topeka, KS, Alice Packard (Danielle Ternes) of Washington, D.C., Clinton “Clint” Packard of Salem, WA; and 15 great-grandchildren: Lennon Cahill, Benjamin “Benny” Packard, Noah Packard, Titus Packard, Sophie Packard, Carly Packard, Kelton Packard, Audrey Packard, Olivia Rougier, Ethan Rougier, Tyler Packard, Ella Packard, Daniel Schneider, Heidi Schneider, Nicholas Schneider. Also surviving are cousins and their families, nieces and nephews and their families, from all corners of the USA as well as around the globe. Peter’s family is so thankful for the strong loving support of our immediate and extended family.
Peter Packard was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Penelope “Penny” Strand, his brother-in-law Robert “Bob” Strand, and his son-in-law Dave Schneider.
Cremation is planned. In an appropriate masked and socially distant environment, the family received friends from 10:00 a.m. until noon, January 23, 2021 at the Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at First Congregational Church, 1701 SW Collins, Topeka, KS where a portion of his ashes will be inurned in the church memorial garden. The remaining ashes will be scattered around the family island in Maine.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 3625 SW 29th St. Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66614, or to the Brewster Health Center, 1205 SW 29th Street, Topeka, KS 66611, in appreciation of the excellent care Peter received from the compassionate staff in the Meadowlark Neighborhood.
To leave a special message for Peter’s family, please click the Share Memories button above.
Peter Winchester Packard, son of Frederick Clifton Packard, Jr. and Alice Mansur Packard, was born in Cambridge, MA on December 7, 1932. After a long battle with Alzheimer’s, he died in Topeka, KS on Thursday, January 14, 2021. He graduated in 1951 from the Browne and Nichols School in Cambridge, MA, and from Dartmouth College in 1955 in Hanover, NH. In 1954 he married Elizabeth “Betsy” Knapp in Portsmouth, NH. He spent 8 years serving in the United States Air Force moving his growing family to his assignments in McAllen, TX; Houston, TX; Biloxi, MS; then Topeka, KS. While working full time, he attended the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare graduating in 1964 with a Master’s Degree in Social Work. In 1988 he moved with his wife Betsy to their dream home at Bethel Point in Harpswell, ME. From that ocean side house, they developed a booming Bed & Breakfast business welcoming guests from around the world. In 2008 Peter returned to Topeka, KS, to live out his retirement years. He occasionally returned to Maine for summer vacations.
With an unconditional compassionate embrace, Peter welcomed everyone he met with his can-do attitude and boisterous smile. No one was a stranger to Peter, and he was always willing to help family, friends, and anyone in need with their projects and problems. As his mother and father taught him so well, and throughout his long life, eloquent poetry and song were treasured methods of communicating.
He worked as a social worker in various employments but mostly at the VA Hospitals in Topeka, KS and Augusta, ME. Even though working full time as a social worker, he was able to help run the family business of a B&B from their home at the ocean's edge in Harpswell, ME. In addition, he enjoyed working with his hands, including home and auto repair. He received his greatest pleasures from his work, his family, his participation in church and community choir, competitive swimming, community theatre, and last but certainly not least, his times of being on the family island in Maine. Later in life, even with a challenged memory, he had a remarkable ability to remember poetry and song, joyously entertaining those around him.
Survivors include his brother, John Packard (Ellynn) of Rowe, MA; his wife and beloved companion, Elizabeth “Betsy” Packard of Topeka, KS; six children, Alexandra “Sandy” Cahill (Timothy “Tim”) of Parkville MO, Jonathan “Jon” Packard (Deborah “Debbie”) of Topeka, KS, Christopher “Chris” Packard (Clyde Martin) of Kirkwood, PA, Lisa Schneider of Topeka, KS, Steven “Steve” Packard (Rebecca “Becca”) of Aguanga, CA and Josephine “Josey” Packard (Jill McDonough) of Jamaica Plain, MA. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren: Emily Cahill Forscher of Madison WI, Gerald “Evan” Cahill (Jessica Drinkard) of Gladstone, MO, Daniel Packard (Joanna) of Topeka, KS, David Packard (Jill) of Topeka, KS, Michael Packard (Taylor) of St. Louis, MO, Benjamin “Ben” Packard (Lynn) of Holton, KS, Elijah Packard of Topeka, KS, Josiah Packard (Sarah) of Topeka, KS, Samuel “Sam” Schneider (Christina) of Topeka, KS, Abraham “Abe” Schneider (Katelyn “Katie”) of Bryn Mawr, PA, Calvin Schneider of Bridgeport, PA, David Schneider of Topeka, KS, Joel Schneider of Topeka, KS, Alice Packard (Danielle Ternes) of Washington, D.C., Clinton “Clint” Packard of Salem, WA; and 15 great-grandchildren: Lennon Cahill, Benjamin “Benny” Packard, Noah Packard, Titus Packard, Sophie Packard, Carly Packard, Kelton Packard, Audrey Packard, Olivia Rougier, Ethan Rougier, Tyler Packard, Ella Packard, Daniel Schneider, Heidi Schneider, Nicholas Schneider. Also surviving are cousins and their families, nieces and nephews and their families, from all corners of the USA as well as around the globe. Peter’s family is so thankful for the strong loving support of our immediate and extended family.
Peter Packard was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Penelope “Penny” Strand, his brother-in-law Robert “Bob” Strand, and his son-in-law Dave Schneider.
Cremation is planned. In an appropriate masked and socially distant environment, the family received friends from 10:00 a.m. until noon, January 23, 2021 at the Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at First Congregational Church, 1701 SW Collins, Topeka, KS where a portion of his ashes will be inurned in the church memorial garden. The remaining ashes will be scattered around the family island in Maine.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 3625 SW 29th St. Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66614, or to the Brewster Health Center, 1205 SW 29th Street, Topeka, KS 66611, in appreciation of the excellent care Peter received from the compassionate staff in the Meadowlark Neighborhood.
To leave a special message for Peter’s family, please click the Share Memories button above.
With an unconditional compassionate embrace, Peter welcomed everyone he met with his can-do attitude and boisterous smile. No one was a stranger to Peter, and he was always willing to help family, friends, and anyone in need with their projects and problems. As his mother and father taught him so well, and throughout his long life, eloquent poetry and song were treasured methods of communicating.
He worked as a social worker in various employments but mostly at the VA Hospitals in Topeka, KS and Augusta, ME. Even though working full time as a social worker, he was able to help run the family business of a B&B from their home at the ocean's edge in Harpswell, ME. In addition, he enjoyed working with his hands, including home and auto repair. He received his greatest pleasures from his work, his family, his participation in church and community choir, competitive swimming, community theatre, and last but certainly not least, his times of being on the family island in Maine. Later in life, even with a challenged memory, he had a remarkable ability to remember poetry and song, joyously entertaining those around him.
Survivors include his brother, John Packard (Ellynn) of Rowe, MA; his wife and beloved companion, Elizabeth “Betsy” Packard of Topeka, KS; six children, Alexandra “Sandy” Cahill (Timothy “Tim”) of Parkville MO, Jonathan “Jon” Packard (Deborah “Debbie”) of Topeka, KS, Christopher “Chris” Packard (Clyde Martin) of Kirkwood, PA, Lisa Schneider of Topeka, KS, Steven “Steve” Packard (Rebecca “Becca”) of Aguanga, CA and Josephine “Josey” Packard (Jill McDonough) of Jamaica Plain, MA. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren: Emily Cahill Forscher of Madison WI, Gerald “Evan” Cahill (Jessica Drinkard) of Gladstone, MO, Daniel Packard (Joanna) of Topeka, KS, David Packard (Jill) of Topeka, KS, Michael Packard (Taylor) of St. Louis, MO, Benjamin “Ben” Packard (Lynn) of Holton, KS, Elijah Packard of Topeka, KS, Josiah Packard (Sarah) of Topeka, KS, Samuel “Sam” Schneider (Christina) of Topeka, KS, Abraham “Abe” Schneider (Katelyn “Katie”) of Bryn Mawr, PA, Calvin Schneider of Bridgeport, PA, David Schneider of Topeka, KS, Joel Schneider of Topeka, KS, Alice Packard (Danielle Ternes) of Washington, D.C., Clinton “Clint” Packard of Salem, WA; and 15 great-grandchildren: Lennon Cahill, Benjamin “Benny” Packard, Noah Packard, Titus Packard, Sophie Packard, Carly Packard, Kelton Packard, Audrey Packard, Olivia Rougier, Ethan Rougier, Tyler Packard, Ella Packard, Daniel Schneider, Heidi Schneider, Nicholas Schneider. Also surviving are cousins and their families, nieces and nephews and their families, from all corners of the USA as well as around the globe. Peter’s family is so thankful for the strong loving support of our immediate and extended family.
Peter Packard was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Penelope “Penny” Strand, his brother-in-law Robert “Bob” Strand, and his son-in-law Dave Schneider.
Cremation is planned. In an appropriate masked and socially distant environment, the family received friends from 10:00 a.m. until noon, January 23, 2021 at the Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at First Congregational Church, 1701 SW Collins, Topeka, KS where a portion of his ashes will be inurned in the church memorial garden. The remaining ashes will be scattered around the family island in Maine.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 3625 SW 29th St. Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66614, or to the Brewster Health Center, 1205 SW 29th Street, Topeka, KS 66611, in appreciation of the excellent care Peter received from the compassionate staff in the Meadowlark Neighborhood.
To leave a special message for Peter’s family, please click the Share Memories button above.
Services & Gatherings
Memorial Service
Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 11:00am
First Congregational Church
Southwest Chapel (785-272-9797) is assisting the family
Southwest Chapel (785-272-9797) is assisting the family